Communications as a Service (CaaS) Industry News

[February 05, 2013]

Bretford Debuts Library 2.0™ Line of Furniture for the Modern Digital Media Center

CHICAGO --(Business Wire)--

Bretford
Manufacturing, Inc.®, a United States manufacturer of
technology-enabled furniture for agile learning and business
environments, today introduced a new line of library furniture that
offers a complete solution for the modern digital media center. The Library
2.0™ Lineis more than shelving, but rather a full range of
seating, tables and desks as well as the company's new flagship FOSTER™
Series Circulation Desk and EXPLORE™
Teaming Table. These products incorporate built-in power, technology
and comfort to fill the need for interaction in today's dynamic digital
age library. Products from the new line will be shown for the first time
in the Bretford booth (#2365) this week at TCEA
2013, Feb. 6-8 in Austin, Texas. The Library 2.0 line is launching
in stages starting Feb. 5 and will be fully ready for order by March 1.

Targeted for the K-12 and higher education libraries, student commons as
well as public library settings, the Library 2.0 line reflects the
dramatic evolution of the library from a static study space with the
mission of warehousing documents to a social commons that encourages
learning through collaborative interaction, mirroring many of the
changes that have already happened in the classroom. Library 2.0
includes the enhancement of Bretford's traditional library offering with
the addition of technology-enabled products that are both powered and
mobile so places, people and information can move while still staying
connected. Along with the furniture, Bretford is also providing a new Library
Specification Guide that offers all the information needed to
completely re-outfit a library. The combination of the products and
guide give architects, designers and facility planners everything they
need to update a library through a single source.

According to Phil Cloutier, vice president of sales and marketing for
Bretford Manufacturing, Inc, the challenge is that much like the
classroom, the function and atmosphere of the library has significantly
changed. "Today's library is not just about books or a place to study -it's a dynamic place that revolves around mobility and
collaboration. Students use the library to socialize, work on group
projects and just hang out. Library attendance is up in the digital age
because the library now serves as a social space as much as a research
and learning space so it is critical that the furnishings in it reflect
and support this new reality." Cloutier continued, "Our new Library 2.0
line addresses these changes head on with power built into the tables,
seating and desks. We've also integrated collaborative components such
as a new circulation desk, mobile interactive whiteboards, teaming work
tables and soft, comfortable, powered seating."

An extension of the classroom, the library space needs to include
flexible and collaborative learning modalities while serving as the
centerpiece of a school, campus or community. The Library 2.0 line was
created using "Bretford Evidence-Based Practices" that involve the voice
of the customer. Every product in the line is agile so as the
room changes, it adapts; mobile because it fits, works and moves
together; technology-enabled for easy access to power and data; social
for interaction; and sustainable for a healthier learning
environment.

The flagship product in the Library 2.0 line is the FOSTER Series
Circulation Desk. The new circulation desk serves as a resource center,
help desk and a place for librarians and visitors to work in
partnership. It offers a clean, contemporary appearance with built-in
power and cord management that will fit well into traditional and modern
libraries alike. Its continuous work surfaces allow for greater
functionality while the new teaming work surfaces enable a librarian and
visitor to sit across from one another and share a monitor.
Additionally, new desk cabinet options provide more room for the
storage, charging and distribution of electronics.

Another highlight to the Library 2.0 line includes the EXPLORE Teaming
Table, a small group collaborative tables that feature a large monitor
at one end and allow up to five students to easily connect and share the
screen content on their laptop or other mobile device. The table is
designed as an affordable and intuitive platform for students to work
together in small groups. Each table includes a monitor mount, cord
management and a Fluid
Up Power System.

Additionally, the Library 2.0 line will include the following products: